The Labor-Force Participation of Married Mothers of Infants

This study investigates why some married mothers of infants elect to be employed, while other married women remain out of the labor force during the first three years of their children's lives. Data for this research was taken from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics. Discriminant function analysis was performed to contrast four groups of women. Prior work experience and attitude toward future employment were the most salient factors discriminating the employed wives from the full-time housewives. The study also revealed racial differences in the importance and effect of certain determinants of women's labor-force participation. Questions are raised regarding the applicability of several factors traditionally found to be related to maternal employment for the population of married mothers of infants.